At 27, American comedienne Miss Orr is 42 years Cleese's junior and young enough to be his granddaughter.

But she didn’t seem to have any complaints – or concerns that he might slip a disc – as she embraced him tightly in the car park, next to a bright yellow Mercedes.

Cleese’s friend Michael Winner told the Mail the pair met a few weeks ago, while Cleese was on an acting job.

‘Barbie is John’s girlfriend. They’ve not just been on a couple of dates. He says that she’s funny and makes him laugh,’ he said.

The long and short of it: Cleese and Miss Orr spotted out in California previously

‘I don’t think he’s looking to get married in the next half hour – with past experiences who can blame him – but he likes spending time with her. I don’t think the age difference matters.’

Mr Winner also revealed that the actor, who has been married three times in the past 40 years, is likely to have to pay out millions of pounds in his divorce from psychotherapist Alyce Faye Eichelberger.

The third Mrs Cleese is understood to be asking for £900,000-a-year maintenance, two houses and half her estranged husband’s earnings since they married in 1992.

‘The divorce is ongoing. John is suffering every harassment that a thoroughly difficult wife can inflict on him,’ Mr Winner said.

Comedy classic: John Cleese with top hat and briefcase in Monty Python's Ministry of Silly Walks sketch in 1971

‘There is a hearing in February when a judge is expected to make a final decision on the settlement. But you know what these things are like, it could drag on for longer.

‘He’s already offered her multi-millions. A judge has already said she’s entitled to £900,000, so she’s going to end up with an enormous amount.

‘I don’t know if she’s actually put a price on how much she wants.

'She could have sat down in a room with him and settled this in two hours, but it’s dragged on and the final payout will be determined in the court hearing.’

Miss Eichelberger is understood to have hired British lawyer Fiona Shackleton, who famously represented Prince Charles, Paul McCartney in their divorce settlements.

Cleese’s first two wives were his Fawlty Towers co-star Connie Booth and actress Barbara Trentham.